Big-screen Batmans come in many shapes, sizes and blocks

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Adam West created an iconic Batman in the 1960s, even if his was known more as a campy and goofy superhero well-suited to the era. While West's fame largely stemmed from his TV series alongside Burt Ward's trusty Robin, his version reached its peak with the delightfully cheesy "Batman: The Movie" in 1966.

PHOTO: Flickr/Shed on the Moon

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When Michael Keaton was first announced to play the title character in Tim Burton's 1989 "Batman," many scoffed at the idea of the comedic actor playing the brooding Bruce Wayne. Playing opposite Jack Nicholson's transcendent Joker, however, Keaton was a hit in the role. The movie brought new life to the Dark Knight, and Keaton would return for "Batman Returns" in 1992.

PHOTO: Warner Bros.

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Following Keaton, Val Kilmer was the next to wear the cape as director Joel Schmuacher took the franchise in a lighter direction with "Batman Forever" in 1995. The film introduced Chris O'Donnell as Robin and added villainous star power with Jim Carrey as The Riddler and Tommy Lee Jones as Two-Face. It was hard for Kilmer's morose billionaire to stand out in the cramped film, and "Forever" was the lone movie in the role for the actor.

PHOTO: Flickr/Glen Bowman

4 of 8

George Clooney is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood -- and his only film as Batman is arguably the low point of the franchise. In fact, as the series doubled-down on campiness, many only remember 1997's "Batman and Robin" for one thing: Bat nipples. Beyond an anatomically accurate suit, Clooney's fantastical enemies included a punning Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze, Uma Thurman as Poison Ivy and a Bane that made comic fans weep.

PHOTO: AP/Warner Bros.

5 of 8

Some believe "Batman: The Animated Series" is the best adaptation of the character, capturing the essence of Bruce Wayne's struggles, along with the pathos and insanity of his rogues gallery. While this version of the character spent the vast majority of his time on the small screen, the Kevin Conroy-voiced Crusader was in theaters in 1993 for the well-received "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm."

PHOTO: Flickr/spadge6868

6 of 8

Following the failure of "Batman and Robin," the Dark Knight was dormant for almost a decade. But the rise of the superhero genre meant he wouldn't stay down for long, and 2005's Christian Bale-starring "Batman Begins" reignited interest in the character with a focus on his gritty roots. Directed by Christopher Nolan, "Begins" kicked off a blockbuster trilogy that included "The Dark Knight" and "The Dark Knight Rises" (pictured). Bale brought intensity and seriousness to the role, though his gravelly voice while wearing the cowl was ripe for jokes.

PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons/Robertoqwerty

7 of 8

Ben Affleck had already played one superhero, an unmemorable turn as Marvel's Daredevil, so it was with some trepidation that fans reacted to his casting in "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice." The Zack Snyder-helmed flick underwhelmed but Affleck's turn as one half of the dueling duo was a highlight. He'll be back in the role later this year in "Justice League" and eventually a solo movie.

PHOTO: Zack Snyder/Twitter

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No one could have predicted a movie based on toy blocks would have been such a hit, but 2014's "Lego Movie" was loved by critics and audiences alike. Will Arnett's Batman was the breakout star, having fun with the lore surrounding the character and his universe. "The Lego Batman Movie" was inevitable and promises to draw laughs while paying homage to the many adaptations of the Dark Knight.

Adam West created an iconic Batman in the 1960s, even if his was known more as a campy and goofy superhero well-suited to the era. While West's fame largely stemmed from his TV series alongside Burt Ward's trusty Robin, his version reached its peak with the delightfully cheesy "Batman: The Movie" in 1966.

PHOTO: Flickr/Shed on the Moon

When Michael Keaton was first announced to play the title character in Tim Burton's 1989 "Batman," many scoffed at the idea of the comedic actor playing the brooding Bruce Wayne. Playing opposite Jack Nicholson's transcendent Joker, however, Keaton was a hit in the role. The movie brought new life to the Dark Knight, and Keaton would return for "Batman Returns" in 1992.

PHOTO: Warner Bros.

Following Keaton, Val Kilmer was the next to wear the cape as director Joel Schmuacher took the franchise in a lighter direction with "Batman Forever" in 1995. The film introduced Chris O'Donnell as Robin and added villainous star power with Jim Carrey as The Riddler and Tommy Lee Jones as Two-Face. It was hard for Kilmer's morose billionaire to stand out in the cramped film, and "Forever" was the lone movie in the role for the actor.

PHOTO: Flickr/Glen Bowman

George Clooney is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood -- and his only film as Batman is arguably the low point of the franchise. In fact, as the series doubled-down on campiness, many only remember 1997's "Batman and Robin" for one thing: Bat nipples. Beyond an anatomically accurate suit, Clooney's fantastical enemies included a punning Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze, Uma Thurman as Poison Ivy and a Bane that made comic fans weep.

PHOTO: AP/Warner Bros.

Some believe "Batman: The Animated Series" is the best adaptation of the character, capturing the essence of Bruce Wayne's struggles, along with the pathos and insanity of his rogues gallery. While this version of the character spent the vast majority of his time on the small screen, the Kevin Conroy-voiced Crusader was in theaters in 1993 for the well-received "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm."

PHOTO: Flickr/spadge6868

Following the failure of "Batman and Robin," the Dark Knight was dormant for almost a decade. But the rise of the superhero genre meant he wouldn't stay down for long, and 2005's Christian Bale-starring "Batman Begins" reignited interest in the character with a focus on his gritty roots. Directed by Christopher Nolan, "Begins" kicked off a blockbuster trilogy that included "The Dark Knight" and "The Dark Knight Rises" (pictured). Bale brought intensity and seriousness to the role, though his gravelly voice while wearing the cowl was ripe for jokes.

PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons/Robertoqwerty

Ben Affleck had already played one superhero, an unmemorable turn as Marvel's Daredevil, so it was with some trepidation that fans reacted to his casting in "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice." The Zack Snyder-helmed flick underwhelmed but Affleck's turn as one half of the dueling duo was a highlight. He'll be back in the role later this year in "Justice League" and eventually a solo movie.

PHOTO: Zack Snyder/Twitter

No one could have predicted a movie based on toy blocks would have been such a hit, but 2014's "Lego Movie" was loved by critics and audiences alike. Will Arnett's Batman was the breakout star, having fun with the lore surrounding the character and his universe. "The Lego Batman Movie" was inevitable and promises to draw laughs while paying homage to the many adaptations of the Dark Knight.

Adam West created an iconic Batman in the 1960s, even if his was known more as a campy and goofy superhero well-suited to the era. While West's fame largely stemmed from his TV series alongside Burt Ward's trusty Robin, his version reached its peak with the delightfully cheesy "Batman: The Movie" in 1966.

PHOTO: Flickr/Shed on the Moon

When Michael Keaton was first announced to play the title character in Tim Burton's 1989 "Batman," many scoffed at the idea of the comedic actor playing the brooding Bruce Wayne. Playing opposite Jack Nicholson's transcendent Joker, however, Keaton was a hit in the role. The movie brought new life to the Dark Knight, and Keaton would return for "Batman Returns" in 1992.

PHOTO: Warner Bros.

Following Keaton, Val Kilmer was the next to wear the cape as director Joel Schmuacher took the franchise in a lighter direction with "Batman Forever" in 1995. The film introduced Chris O'Donnell as Robin and added villainous star power with Jim Carrey as The Riddler and Tommy Lee Jones as Two-Face. It was hard for Kilmer's morose billionaire to stand out in the cramped film, and "Forever" was the lone movie in the role for the actor.

PHOTO: Flickr/Glen Bowman

George Clooney is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood -- and his only film as Batman is arguably the low point of the franchise. In fact, as the series doubled-down on campiness, many only remember 1997's "Batman and Robin" for one thing: Bat nipples. Beyond an anatomically accurate suit, Clooney's fantastical enemies included a punning Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze, Uma Thurman as Poison Ivy and a Bane that made comic fans weep.

PHOTO: AP/Warner Bros.

Some believe "Batman: The Animated Series" is the best adaptation of the character, capturing the essence of Bruce Wayne's struggles, along with the pathos and insanity of his rogues gallery. While this version of the character spent the vast majority of his time on the small screen, the Kevin Conroy-voiced Crusader was in theaters in 1993 for the well-received "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm."

PHOTO: Flickr/spadge6868

Following the failure of "Batman and Robin," the Dark Knight was dormant for almost a decade. But the rise of the superhero genre meant he wouldn't stay down for long, and 2005's Christian Bale-starring "Batman Begins" reignited interest in the character with a focus on his gritty roots. Directed by Christopher Nolan, "Begins" kicked off a blockbuster trilogy that included "The Dark Knight" and "The Dark Knight Rises" (pictured). Bale brought intensity and seriousness to the role, though his gravelly voice while wearing the cowl was ripe for jokes.

PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons/Robertoqwerty

Ben Affleck had already played one superhero, an unmemorable turn as Marvel's Daredevil, so it was with some trepidation that fans reacted to his casting in "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice." The Zack Snyder-helmed flick underwhelmed but Affleck's turn as one half of the dueling duo was a highlight. He'll be back in the role later this year in "Justice League" and eventually a solo movie.

PHOTO: Zack Snyder/Twitter

No one could have predicted a movie based on toy blocks would have been such a hit, but 2014's "Lego Movie" was loved by critics and audiences alike. Will Arnett's Batman was the breakout star, having fun with the lore surrounding the character and his universe. "The Lego Batman Movie" was inevitable and promises to draw laughs while paying homage to the many adaptations of the Dark Knight.

Related Content

The Will Arnett-voiced version of the Caped Crusader was a highlight of 2014's "The Lego Movie," popular enough to get his own spinoff. Arriving Friday, "The Lego Batman Movie" is getting strong reviews and promises to bring more fans of the Dark Knight to the box office.

This toy-sized Batman is just the latest in a long line of cinematic interpretations of the famed comic book character. Have a look at some of the others to don the cape and cowl on the big screen.